So, basically the Texans have to win out starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars this Thursday night and receive TONS of help from other AFC teams. They have to have “at least seven AFC teams finish tied at 6-10 — themselves, plus the Steelers, Ravens, Dolphins, Browns, Jets, Chargers and the winner of a Week 15 game between the Bills and Jaguars. Oakland, Tennessee and the loser of that Buffalo-Jacksonville game could finish 6-10 or 5-11 without propping up another wild-card contender’s record.”

Head coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday that it doesn’t matter what their record is, the Texans are going to continue to play hard.

“Heck, believe me, it doesn’t matter whether you’re 10-2 or 2-10, you’re up there working the same hours, you’re practicing, you’re battling, you’re doing the same thing,” Kubiak said. “Nothing’s changed other than the fact that it’s very difficult to work through the situation. But as a pro, as a coach and as a player, that’s your responsibility and you wouldn’t be in this business if you haven’t worked through these things before or you don’t have the belief that you’re going to work through this. I have no doubt that we’re going to work through it, me personally and this football team. That’s what keeps you going. If you’re going to stick around our business, you’ll probably get a chance at both ends of the stick. So find out what you’re made of. This is a very difficult time, but guys are pushing themselves as best they can.”